Veterinary Technician Externship
Location: Boston West Veterinary Emergency & Specialty | Natick, MA
Program: Veterinary Technician Student Externship | Specialty & Emergency Medicine
Are you a veterinary technology student ready to take what you’re learning in the classroom and apply it in a fast-paced clinical setting?

Your Veterinary Technician Externship gives students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience alongside credentialed veterinary technicians and other veterinary professionals in a high-volume specialty and emergency hospital. You’ll gain exposure to real cases, strengthen your technical skills, and see firsthand what it’s like to work as part of a collaborative, multi-department veterinary team.

About the Externship
Veterinary Technician Externs work under the supervision of a credentialed veterinary technician and participate in a structured clinical learning experience based on their current skill level, academic program requirements, hospital workflow, and patient safety.

Depending on the department and your level of training, your externship experience may include:

Participating in clinical rounds and patient discussions
Assisting with patient treatments and diagnostics
Obtaining and monitoring patient vital signs
Practicing appropriate patient restraint and handling techniques
Assisting with radiographs and patient positioning
Performing or assisting with phlebotomy and other clinical procedures when appropriate
Gaining experience with laboratory and patient monitoring equipment
Assisting with surgical procedures and patient care
Practicing drug dosage and CRI calculations
Documenting patient treatments and clinical activity
Observing client interactions and learning about case management
Participating in educational or departmental meetings when available
Learning how emergency, specialty, and support teams work together within a multi-department hospital

The specific skills performed will depend on your demonstrated competency, program requirements, applicable regulations, and the level of supervision required.

Program Schedule
Externship length and department placement may vary based on your veterinary technology program requirements, interests, experience level, and hospital availability.
Externs should be prepared for the schedule of a 24/7 specialty and emergency hospital. Weekend participation may also be required.

Special scheduling requests may be considered based on the student’s program requirements, experience level, department availability, and the hospital’s ability to accommodate the request.

What We’re Looking For
Applicants must:

Be actively enrolled in an AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): An active MOU between the student's veterinary technology program and our organization must be in place prior to externship placement. If you're unsure whether an agreement already exists, please connect us with your Program Director so we can confirm and coordinate any necessary next steps.
Provide any required externship documentation, learning objectives, skills checklists, or evaluations from their veterinary technology program
Have liability coverage through their school or personal student liability coverage
Have reliable transportation and arrange their own lodging (if needed) for the duration of the externship
A positive, team-oriented approach and comfortability working collaboratively with veterinary technicians, assistants, doctors, and other members of the hospital team
Follow hospital safety practices, policies, procedures, and applicable clinical protocols
The self-awareness to ask questions, seek help when needed, and recognize the boundaries of your knowledge, training, and role.
A track record of dependability, punctuality, and following through on commitments.
Strong communication and listening skills when working with clients and colleagues.
The ability to adapt to changing priorities and remain effective in a busy, high-stress environment.
Basic computer skills and comfort learning new technology and systems.

Students at any point in their AVMA-accredited Veterinary Technology Program are welcome to apply. If there is a high volume of applicants, priority may be given to students in the latter half of their program.

Discover the World of Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Medicine!
Take the next step toward a future in emergency and specialty medicine with opportunities to learn from experienced veterinary professionals, build confidence in your clinical skills, and explore the specialties that inspire you. With dedicated mentorship, structured competency tracking through ASCEND, and access to VetBloom's RACE-approved continuing education, you'll have the tools, guidance, and support to continue growing as you prepare for your career in veterinary medicine.

Ready to see where your passion for veterinary medicine can take you? We'd love to hear from you!

About Ethos Veterinary Health

Ethos Veterinary Health, part of the NVA Group, is where you come to practice world-class medicine, and help shape what veterinary care becomes next.
Across our network of 140 specialty and emergency hospitals, science moves forward, standards are elevated, and innovation is put into practice every day. You’ll work alongside respected veterinary leaders in academic-caliber hospitals designed for learning, teaching, and discovery.
Here, mentorship is a two-way street. You’ll share your expertise, learn from others, and continue to grow, clinically, professionally, and personally.
At Ethos, you inspire hope, deliver exceptional care, and pursue veterinary medicine at its highest level, together.

Join Us
At Ethos, this isn’t just a job, it’s an opportunity to practice medicine at the highest level and help shape the future of veterinary care.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Ethos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Ethos does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided based on qualifications, competence, merit, and business need.

Ethos Veterinary Health

Veterinary Technician Intern

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Ethos Veterinary Health

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